Starter solenoid issue?

[Mas]

Today I tried to start my '59 Seaking 35 hp using the starter...the recoil is killing me!

I think my solenoid is bad, but here is what I did:

Firstly, the motor is not mounted on a boat, but rather running in a barrel. I connected the black ground from the harness to the negative of the battery. The red from the harness was attached to the left side of the solenoid and the right post of the solenoid was connected to the positive battery terminal.

I short circuited the two smaller posts on the solenoid with a screwdriver where the starter button should connected. The connections are all clean and tight..but I got nothing! I tried all other combinations on the solenoid, but again nothing.

Am I missing anything here or is my solenoid bad?

Also, I can directly power the starter and she spins!

Mas

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

I think you're shorting the wrong posts together. It should be 3 & 6 on the diagram.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

you should not short the 2 smaller post but the hot side of the solenoid (big wire coming from battery) with the positive small post ( one is a ground do not short to it.) this will activate your solenoid.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

LOL...yea what he posted...lol

 

[Mas]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

One of the small posts an "I" and the other small post has an "S" embossed in the housing Must one of these be grounded to work as in the diagram??

Mas

 

[Mas]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

Also,

I tried shorting the 6-3 3-2 & 2-7 combinations...with no luck. The only difference is the #2 not being grounded.

Mas

 

[legoman67]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

where does 2 go if its not grounding?

 

[Mas]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

Unconnected to anything...so I guess this is my problem??

Mas

 

[lindy46]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

2 should ground to the engine, usually thru the cut-out switch.

 

[Mas]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

Thanks guys,

I'll give it another try today...with a new sense of understanding!

Mas

 

[ezeke]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

2 should ground to the engine, usually thru the cut-out switch.

If you connect 6 to 2 on a motor with a "cut-out switch" on the ground wire, you will no longer have a working "cut-out switch".

2 must be grounded or the solenoid cannot work.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

yup, definatly ground 2 and try again. without that ground the solinoid doesnt get the power to open and let the current go to the starter

 

[Mas]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

Ok finally got the solenoid hooked up correctly...but still nothing. I'm off to find another solenoid.

Mas

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

make sure you battery cables are connected properly.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

Is the ignition switch still in the loop?

 

[Mas]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

No, the ignition switch is no longer in the loop.

I went and bought a new solenoid for $9.00 at the auto store...not a marine type, but will not be mounted in a boat.

Rehooked up everything, but still nothing when I shorted the battery side terminal with the small "I" post..

Two questions: Does the frame of the solenoid need to be grounded? Currently, I have it mounted to wood.

Secondly, maybe the solenoid is upside-down?? Is the small post with the "S" or the "I" the one needed to be grounded? Currently, I have the "S" grounded.

Thanks guys,

Mas

 

[ezeke]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

No, the ignition switch is no longer in the loop.

I went and bought a new solenoid for $9.00 at the auto store...not a marine type, but will not be mounted in a boat.

Rehooked up everything, but still nothing when I shorted the battery side terminal with the small "I" post..

Two questions: Does the frame of the solenoid need to be grounded? Currently, I have it mounted to wood.

Secondly, maybe the solenoid is upside-down?? Is the small post with the "S" or the "I" the one needed to be grounded? Currently, I have the "S" grounded.




Thanks guys,

Mas

Correct marine solenoids are not grounded through the case but through one of the small posts.

Automobile solenoids are grounded through the case.

 

[Mas]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

So I bought the "two small post" type auto solenoid. The frame is not grounded, but the small post with the "s" is grounded. I was shorting the "I" small post with the battery side terminal...still nothing.

The small post with the "I" is not hooked to anything...just used to short with a screwdriver to the battery side terminal.

Am I hooked up correctly and just need to chase out some connection issues...or?

Mas

 

[Mas]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

Ok

I used jumper cables from my battery. I grounded the negative to the engine and touched the terminal on the starter motor...she fired right up. Starter good! Battery good! Connections good...unless internal corrosion between terminals. I did a ohm test on the wires and got zero resistance....but on a large load??

Wiring??

Left large terminal to starter.

Right large terminal to battery.

Engine grounded to negative on battery.

Small post on left grounded.

Small post on right open...unless shorted to right large terminal/battery.

I guess I'm an idiot. I cannot figure this out!

Mas

 

[klrbruce]

Re: Starter solenoid issue?

Chased problems like yours on most used boats I've bought, try cutting off the ends of the battery cables where they meet the battery and replace. Internal corrosion, let 12v through, but not enough amp to run starter. If you have a good ground on small terminal and put 12v to other small stud, solenoid should click. The solenoid is just a relay(switch) 12v and ground to small studs throws the internal switch letting heavy amp 12v through the solenoid. You can also jump #6 to #7(right large post to left large post) if starter doesn't turn then not enough amps getting to starter.